Billie Eilish gave New York City a first listen to her new album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, last night at an exclusive listening event at the Barclays Center.
As around 19,000 fans packed into the arena, Eilish walked out onto the basketball court in a hazy spotlight, revealing to fans how nervous she was to play the album for its biggest audience yet. As the "Ocean Eyes" singer pressed play, the Barclays Center was submerged into a laser-filled sonic feast, with all ten tracks of Hit Me Hard and Soft blasting through the venue's sound system.
Out Friday, the album itself is a triumph for Eilish, who just seems to be capable of consistently topping herself, adding new flavors to her already successful recipe. It is a mature followup to her first two Grammy-winning LPs, this time infusing her bass-heavy beats and silky vocals with just enough of an update to keep things fresh.
The album starts out with "Skinny," which is a string-filled ballad, similar to what we've heard from Eilish before. However, it is followed by "Lunch," which speeds up the beat with a catchy hook and beguiling lyrics, eventually exploding into a queer anthem as the 22-year-old embraces her queerness in music for the first time.
Eilish's sexuality is touched upon quite frequently throughout the album, with "Wildflower" telling the story of having a female love interest in the back of her mind. The feeling of forbidden love comes as the "What Was I Made For?" singer recently opened up about her sexuality, stating that her first romantic experiences with other women helped inspire music on the record.
Also, Billie Eilish belts now. Past songs like "Happier Than Ever" featured some previously-unheard power vocals from the artist, but a track like "The Greatest" on her new record features hauntingly stunning vocals that soar above her typical delivery.
While Hit Me Hard and Soft seems like the introduction of a new Eilish -- her sophomore record dropped when she was only 19 -- she is still up to her old tricks. Tracks like "Bittersuite" are reminiscent of her hit singles like "Bad Guy," before the tone shifts with one of the singer's signature transitions.
Similar to how "Happier Than Ever" started off as an airy ballad before being turned on its head as a rock banger, several songs on the new album switch halfway through with enrapturing transitions. While it may feel like Eilish relies on the technique a bit too often this time, there are just enough tricks in store to salvage a song if it may start to feel repetitive.
The album concludes with "Blue," a stunning finale to the staggering record. At the Barclays Center event, Eilish stood in a blue spotlight over a smoke-filled floor, looking as if she was about to dive into an abyss -- before moon-walking out of the spotlight in signature fashion.
Rumors have circulated online that Hit Me Hard and Soft is a double album, like Taylor Swift's recent The Tortured Poets Department: Anthology release. However, if Dua Lipa's satisfying 11-track Radical Optimism LP has taught us anything, there's nothing wrong with keeping an album short and sweet.
Hit Me Hard and Soft is nearly perfect as it is, keeping the listener on the edge of their seat while also leaving them satisfied. As it concludes, Eilish's third album is a formidable entry to her well-built discography.
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